ILORIN – The Kwara State Government is ready to support the state chapter of the Rice Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Yunusa Lade, has said.
Lade stated this at a meeting on Wednesday in Ilorin with representatives of the association who paid him a courtesy visit.
He said collaboration with the members of the association and the state government has become necessary to attain food security.
“The collaboration will not only improve and increase food production, especially rice, but will also bring about employment opportunities, reduce importation, and increase revenue generation for the state,” the Commissioner said.
RIFAN’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Olaitan Balogun, said the visit was to seek the state government’s support to help their members grow rice in the state.
Balogun stated that the ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture are critical for the growth of farm produce, especially with water essential for rice growth.
Also speaking, Elder James Kolo, a member, stated that the visit was to enable them seek a synergy with the state government and help empower their members for increased rice production.
He appealed to the state government to help empower their members financially to increase food production, especially rice.
”This will help to reduce dependence on foreign importation, and also help increase revenue generation,” Kolo said.(NAN)